That they doe with all humble thankfulnesse ackowledge that great labour and care, which this honourable Assembly hath undergone now for the space of above one whole years, endeavoring the reformation and removal of those many pres­sures & grievance in Church and Common-wealth; And do humbly present that grateful acceptance & high esteem, which not only the Petitioners, but also all well affected to the honour of this Majesty and prosperity of this Kingdome have, of these your great and unwearied endeavors, which although they (by reason of the Popish Lords and Bishops Voting in the House of Peeres, and other impediments as they humble conceive) have not hitherto produce those happy effects you ay­med at; Yet, to the Petitioners great comfort, divers of those pressures are already removed: as Arbitary Courts, Ship­money, Monopolies, and other illegall Impositions, where with they burthened, and further hopes given by the happy Act of this PARLIAMENTS continuance.

That (notwithstanding all this) the Papists and their adherents, whose malice ceaseth not, have by sundry secreat and desperate plots, attempted the ruine and destruction of this State and Kingdom, and however some of them have hitherto by Gods providence, and your prudence, been discovered and become abortive: Yet the sad effects of other of them, are not only felt, and much more feared in this Realme of England, but also have of late broken out into open Rebellion in Ireland, where most barbarous, savage, cruell, and inhumane acti­ons are practised towards our Brethren by Nation and Religion, whose lamentable and deplored condtion the Petitioners much pitty and lament, and have just cause to feare, that as already there hath been much Christian blood spilt, so in short times, if speedy helpe be not sent, not only the many great Debts there owing to divers of the Petitioners, and others of this Kingdome, will be wholly lost, but (which is farre more) the very name of the English and Protestant Religion there, will be rooted out, which those Rebells (the Foundation of whose Religion is written in letters of blood) do only oppose.

And for that divers of the Petitioners receive daily information from all parts of this Kingdome, of the bold insolent carriage, and threat­ [...]ing speeches of the Papists in this Realm, arising (as the Petitioners humbly conceive) not only from the prevailing of the Rebels in Ireland, [...]ut also from the want of such secure and speedy course against Papists here, as the present condition of this Kingdome requireth, and this honourable Assembly hath earnestly endeavoured.

From which grounds, the Petitioners cannot omit to represent unto you, the great terrors, feares, and distraction, that they lie under, of a [...]ddaine surprize by their bloody hands, By meanes whereof, the Trading of this City and Kingdome is much more of late decayed, then it [...]ath been for divers years past, no man following his Trade cheerfully, while the lives of himself and Family, and the publique safety of the [...]ingdome are in danger; and while he knoweth not how soon they may feele the like cruelty and inhumanity from the Papists, and their ad­ [...]erents, as these in Ireland have done, which if ever it shall happen, this honourable Assembly must expect to have a deep share in their malice [...]nd cruelty, against whom they have already by themselves and their Abbettors endeavoured, to raise a disrespect in the hearts of the people, to [...]vide between the King Majesty and his Parliament, and seditiously to misconstrue the Citizens dutifull and loyall entertainment of his Ma­ [...]sty, to be a differting of this honourable Assembly, the least thought whereof, the Petitioners doe utterly detest and abhorre.

To the end therefore, that the destructive plots of the Papists and their adherents may be defeated, the grounds of their hopes and insolencies removed, confidence Forces with all expedition sent subdue those abhominable and bloody Rebels in Ireland; This City Kingdome, (for prevention of the like mischiefes here, and securing the peace thereof) put into a posture of defence, the Petitioners freed from their feares, encouraged in their Trades, and in due time receive such just Answeres to their former Petitioners, as shall seem best to your great wisdomes.

It is humbly prayed, that you will vouchsafe to be a meanes to the Kings Majesty and the House of Peeres, that life may be speedily given to your good endeavours by [...]heir concurrence with you in the punishing of Delinquents, and redres­sing the pressures and grievances in Church and Common-wealth (amongst which the abuses crept into the ancient go­vernment of this City, they humbly desire may in due time be taken into consideration.) And for the better effecting hereof, that the Popish Lords and Bishops may be removed out of the House of Peeres, as was desire in the presence of divers of this honourable Assembly, by the representative body of this City in this Guild-hall, when 50000 li. was freely lent to raise Forces for Ireland, the greatest part whereof was speedily brought in by the Petitioners.

And the Petitioners who well know their own safeties, are wrapt up in yours, shall not faile to put up daily Prayers to Almighty God for your good successe, and to maintaine and defend, to the utmost hazard of their lives and estates (according to their late Protestation) the Kings Majesty, and high Court of Parliament, against all wicked Counsellors, and malignant opposers, who in­deavour, either by secret plot or open force, to prejudice the one or the other, or to make division between his Majesty and the Parliament, whom God and the Laws of this Land, have united in so neare a Relation.